Barbecues and Beetles

As a child I remember being on holiday in France. Fourteen of us travelled there in a mini-bus driven alternatively by the father's of three family's from the neighbourhood. That's in the days of proper neighbourhood community and no air-conditioning; kid's today don't know they're born. Anyway, the point of telling you this is that it reminded me of lots of BBQ's while we stayed in the caravan/tent. Trying to catch lizards and put them on the BBQ but not achieving it because they shed their tails when you stamp on them. However, after becoming bored of blowing up ant nests with little bangers (you could buy these!), we moved onto catching beetles and cockroaches and roasting them on the BBQ. Cockroaches stink by the way.


Now that our own summer has arrived here and all those fond memories sweep through my mind, we have our own version of BBQ's and Beetles. How wonderful it is to do everything alfresco (careful). The smell and sound of sizzling food. The urge to pop a few beetles on there to see what they smell like when hot. If you want a change from burgers and sausage, get some monkfish, marinade it with chillies, garlic, limes and coriander and slide it onto some skewers while you look at the camera pouting your lips. It's an absolute treat; the food, not the camera shot.

OK so I've mentioned beetles a few times and you can't see the relevance. The Tynemouth Classic VW Rally is in its 3rd year now. Blessed by the great weather again, we went along to view the shiny camper vans and beetles. So many colours, styles and interior space saving genius. We all want one, you see a lot living on the coast but don't get sick of them until you get stuck behind a slow one. They ended the rally by driving in convoy along the coast. On the day of the Sunderland Air Show, I expected the red arrows to fly over just at that point and maybe create a VW shape in the sky. They missed an opportunity but to be fair they probably flew over the Newcastle race course where it was also Ladies Day. Pervert Pilots.